Mathematics Foundation Course Linear Algebra Ii

This book is the second of two volumes on linear algebra for graduate students in mathematics, the sciences, and economics, who have: a prior undergraduate course in the subject; a basic understanding of matrix algebra; and some proficiency with mathematical proofs. Both volumes have been used for several years in a one-year course sequence, Linear Algebra I and II, offered at New York University's Courant Institute. The first three chapters of this second volume round out the coverage of traditional linear algebra topics: generalized eigenspaces, further applications of Jordan form, as well as bilinear, quadratic, and multilinear forms. The final two chapters are different, being more or less self-contained accounts of special topics that explore more advanced aspects of modern algebra: tensor fields, manifolds, and vector calculus in Chapter 4 and matrix Lie groups in Chapter 5. The reader can choose to pursue either chapter. Both deal with vast topics in contemporary mathematics. They include historical commentary on how modern views evolved, as well as examples from geometry and the physical sciences in which these topics are important. The book provides a nice and varied selection of exercises; examples are well-crafted and provide a clear understanding of the methods involved.

Linear Algebra constitutes a foundation course for those specializing in the fields of mathematics, engineering and science. The course normally takes one semester, but for those needing a more rigorous study of the subject, it involve up to two semesters.This book is based on the lecture notes given for the linear algebra course at the Department of Mathematics in Wuhan University.

This is a matrix-oriented approach to linear algebra that covers the traditional material of the courses generally known as “Linear Algebra I” and “Linear Algebra II” throughout North America, but it also includes more advanced topics such as the pseudoinverse and the singular value decomposition that make it appropriate for a more advanced course as well. As is becoming increasingly the norm, the book begins with the geometry of Euclidean 3-space so that important concepts like linear combination, linear independence and span can be introduced early and in a “real” context. The book reflects the author's background as a pure mathematician — all the major definitions and theorems of basic linear algebra are covered rigorously — but the restriction of vector spaces to Euclidean n-space and linear transformations to matrices, for the most part, and the continual emphasis on the system Ax=b, make the book less abstract and more attractive to the students of today than some others. As the subtitle suggests, however, applications play an important role too. Coding theory and least squares are recurring themes. Other applications include electric circuits, Markov chains, quadratic forms and conic sections, facial recognition and computer graphics.

Building on the author's previous edition on the subject (Introduction to Linear Algebra, Jones & Bartlett, 1996), this book offers a refreshingly concise text suitable for a standard course in linear algebra, presenting a carefully selected array of essential topics that can be thoroughly covered in a single semester. Although the exposition generally falls in line with the material recommended by the Linear Algebra Curriculum Study Group, it notably deviates in providing an early emphasis on the geometric foundations of linear algebra. This gives students a more intuitive understanding of the subject and enables an easier grasp of more abstract concepts covered later in the course. The focus throughout is rooted in the mathematical fundamentals, but the text also investigates a number of interesting applications, including a section on computer graphics, a chapter on numerical methods, and many exercises and examples using MATLAB. Meanwhile, many visuals and problems (a complete solutions manual is available to instructors) are included to enhance and reinforce understanding throughout the book. Brief yet precise and rigorous, this work is an ideal choice for a one-semester course in linear algebra targeted primarily at math or physics majors. It is a valuable tool for any professor who teaches the subject.